Clerk to Governing Body

About the role

Working closely with the Chair of Governors, Bursar and other Governors, the Clerk is responsible for facilitating the work of the Governing Body and its various sub-committees.  The Clerk will advise the Governing Body on legislative matters and ensure it operates within the Articles of Association. 

The key tasks of the role are:  

Governance Administration: 

• Provide administrative support to the Governing Body and any sub-committees, including convening of meetings, the preparation and circulation of agendas and briefing papers. 

• Produce accurate and timely minutes from the main Governing Body and sub-committee meetings, ensuring actions are recorded. 

• Attend main Governing Body and sub-committee meetings and advise Governors on procedural matters. 

• Work with members of the Foundation’s Senior Team and ensure that papers are produced and circulated on schedule. 

• Ensure that action points are updated for each meeting. 

• Maintain a register of Governors and manage their recruitment, induction and training. 

• Agree with the Chair and Bursar the dates for the forthcoming year’s meetings. 

• Maintain a register of attendance at meetings and ensure all meetings are quorate. 

• Act as the routine point of contact with the Charity Commission and Companies House, ensuring that all statutory returns are completed and filed on time. 

• Monitor compliance with relevant statutory and charity law requirements and best practise. 

• Provide advice to the Chair and Bursar on charitable and company law. 

• Maintain the Foundation’s Articles of Association and Governance Manual. 

• Draft correspondence on behalf of the Governing Body. 

• Establishing and servicing Governors’ Appeal Panels for hearings associated with disciplinary matters, parental complaints and grievances.   

• Ensure that statutory polices are in place, and that a file of policies is maintained and kept in the Foundation along with other documents approved by the Governing Body.   

• Maintain records of Governing Body correspondence.   

 

Governance Advice: 

• Advise and support the Chair, Chairs of sub-committees and Bursar on governance matters. 

• Foster close and supportive working relationships between Governors, Head of Foundation and Bursar. 

• Attend and disseminate pertinent information from sector body briefings, primarily AGBIS and the ISBA. 

• Have access o appropriate legal advice, support and guidance. 

• Take action on the Governing Body’s agreed policy to support new governors. 

• Work with the sub-committee Chairs to review and update the committee’s Terms of Reference and Risk Registers.   

 

Person Specification: 

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong team building, communication skills, warmth and empathy.  They will have a high level of organisational and interpersonal skills, be committed to maintaining the nurturing and supportive ethos of the Foundation, and be an enthusiastic, caring and positive role model within the Foundation community.  

 

Qualifications and Experience: 

 

• Educated to at least GCSE / ‘O’ Level standard or equivalent with GCSE / O Level English & Maths at grade C or above. 

• Experience of working as a Clerk to Governors in an educational environment would be desirable as would an understanding of the independent school sector.   

• Knowledge of education legislation guidance and legal requirements.     

• Excellent written and spoken English. 

• Strong ICT skills. 

• Ability and willingness to work independently, using own initiative. 

• Experience of writing agendas and accurate concise minutes. 

 

Personal Qualities: 

• First class organisational and administrative skills with the ability to remain calm under pressure and to work to tight deadlines, managing competing priorities.  

• Solid analytical and decision-making skills. 

• Good time management and problem-solving abilities. 

• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate and mange staff at all levels. 

• Awareness of data protection legislation. 

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality. 

• Enthusiastic and self-motivated to get the job done to the highest standards. 

• Willingness to participate in training and development opportunities. 

• Have a flexible approach to working hours. 

• Personal integrity, honesty, energy and enthusiasm. 

 

The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and may be varied from time to time after consultation with the post holder.